12.10 upgrade not found

[Bas Roufs -En.]

Hello Paul

> I have a 12.04 system and set the software sources to update for normal
> releases (not LTS).  After updating, I'm still not getting a notice that a
> new version is available and apt-get dist-upgrade reports that no updates
> are available.

Last week I did manage to upgrade from 12.04 to 12.10. I did so by carefully 
following the instructions here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/QuantalUpgrades/Kubuntu

However, take into account a few weird details I summarise here. I had the 
same problem as you, but I happened to find a "workaround" - which I try to 
explain here. 

At the top of the page mentioned above, the steps to be done have been 
summarised in three basic steps:
> set release upgrades to be for normal releases instead of LTS releases
> run the release upgrade tool
> reboot 

Though you did already the first step,  do it again - simply to fire up the 
upgrade process you want to set into motion. First go to K Menu > System > 
Muon Software Centre > Settings > Configure Software Sources. There,  set again 
the update  for normal releases. After doing so, QUIT Muon Software Centre.

Second step. Do not wait for the new version update notifier, but carry out 
another update check - simply to make sure that your system is really up to 
date. Do so best via a terminal: 
sudo aptitude update. 
Wait for the update check to finish while staying in the same terminal. Now, 
give in another unix command:
sudo aptitude safe-upgrade
If you do not have "aptitude", install it first: 
sudo apt-get install aptitude.
At the end of the update process, you will be prompted for Y/N: to update or 
not to update :-). Give in Y, wait for the process to finish and close the 
terminal. 


Third step. If the upgrade notifyer pops up, click at it and follow the 
instructions that will come to you. If not, go to K-Menu > System > 
Muon PACKAGE  MANAGER >  check for updates. By doing so IN THIS STAGE, you 
will force the upgrade notifyer to appear. 

Finally, one more nasty detail in case you use Kompozer. This web authoring 
tool is obsolete and does not  work any more in 12.10 and beyond. However, 
there is a good alternative which is like Kompozer, but up to date:
BlueGriffon.
This package is not or not yet in a repository. Install it directly from 
BlueGriffon.org.

>  Do I have to do a fresh install?

What I usually do:
1. First upgrade.
2. Make a list of installed packages: see  http://bit.ly/OYQsls
3. Backup this list and all other files to an external HD, via the package 
"LuckyBackup".
4. Fresh install of the same Kubuntu version.

I go through this four step cycle twice a year. Of course,  the backup I make 
more often; a few times per week. 
By doing so, I keep the system vital.

I hope this helps. 
Respectfully yours,
Bas Roufs. 


-- 
Bas G. Roufs MA
Van 't Hoffstraat 1
NL-3514 VT Utrecht
The Netherlands, EU
E. BasRoufs at gmail.com; Mob. +31 6 446 835 10; Tel. +31 30 785 20 40.
Open source OS: Kubuntu 12.10, see kubuntu.org .
Websites in construction: BasRoufs.eu ; Viaconsensus.nl; RainbowGathering.eu .